What is power training? In this first part, learn the terms and definitions associated with power training. Presented by Tri-Hard coaching and Fit Werx.

Power training is your next tool in your triathlon training toolbox to improve your cycling performance. Power training has additional equipment and possibly wheel costs associated with it but the data it gives to the rider is more absolute versus heart-rate data which is prone to several outside forces. Power training will keep you in the zones you need to be in as it does not depend on heart-rate which is affected by fatigue, stress, heat and dehydration.

In Part 1 of this series on training with a power meter, Will Kirousis will discuss:

What is power

How power is defined

What factors affect power output

Equipment that measures power output

Power output variability

Average vs Normalized power output

FTP (Functional Threshold Power)

IF (Intensity Factor)

TSS (Training Stress Score)

VI (Variability Index)

Part 2 of this series will focus on how power training affects your workouts along with performing power testing to determine your power training zones.

Part 3 will discuss power workouts types.

Part 4 will discuss racing with a power meter with actual power file analysis.